Loader machine



J. B. KUCERA LOADER MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jose?? Dec. 2l, 1948.

Filed Jan. 11, 1946 Dec. 2l, 1948. J. s. Kucl-:RA 2,456,879

LOADER MACHINE Filed Jan. 1l, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 $1/ @f/M2M@ Dec. 2l,1948. J. B. KUCERA 2,456,879

LOADER MACHINE Filed Jan. 11. 194e 4 sheets-sheet s Dec. 21, 1948. J. B.KUCERA 2,456,879

LODER MACHINE Filed Jan. 1l. 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented 2l, Y19.48

UNITED STATES -PATENT OFFICE LOADER MACHINE Joseph B. Kucera, Traer,Iowa Application January 11, 1946, Serial No. Z640,545

5 Claims'.

This invention relates generally to loader machines and in particular toa loader attachment for a tractor adapted to handle dirt, manure, `hayand the like.

An object of this invention is to provide'an improved loader machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tractor loaderattachment of a vconstruction such that it can be easily removed fromand assembled on a tractor by one man with a minimum of time and effort.

Another object of this invention is to provide a loader machine in whichpivoted lifting arms, pivotally supported on a portable frame and havinga scoop supported between their forward ends, are of a construction,such that the scoop, for

a given length of the arms, is movable a greatery distance forwardly ofthe frame to a dumping provide a loader attachment for a tractor inwhich pivoted lifting arms, pivotally supported intermediate their ends,carry a scoop between their forward ends and arel connected at-theirrear ends with tractor operated means adapted to pivotally move the armsto raise and lower the scoop.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a loader attachmentfor a tractor which is of a simple and rugged construction, capable ofbeing assembled on the tractor without interfering with themaneuverability of the tractor, with the full visibility oi the tractoroperator, or with the usual storage of the tractor, and efficient inoperation to quickly load and unload a scoop with a minimum of attentionand effort by the tractor operator.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a loaderattachment for a tractor in which a pair of pivoted lifting arms areprovided, intermediate their ends, with upright projections on which thearms are pivotally supported above the tractor rear axle. The front endsof the arms cxtrnd forwardly of the tractor and carry a scoop, while therear ends of the arms are extended rearwardly of the tractor rear axle.Power operated means at the rear end of the tractor are connected withthe rear ends of the arms to pv- A further feature of this invention isfound in the provision of a loader attachment for a tractor that therear sections of the arms' act to counterbalance a part of the loadbeing lifted. Means for raising and lowering the arms are connected tothe rear ends ofthe arms to fully utilize the leverage effect of therear section relative to the pivotal support for. the arms.

Further objects, 'features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor with the loaderattachment of this invention assembled thereon, with portions of thetractor being broken away and shown'in section to more clearly show theconstruction ofthe attachment;

Fig. `2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1showing the latch mechanism for the scoop;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a rock arm forming part of themeans for raising and lowering the pivoted arms of the loaderattachment;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the tractor andattachment assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the rear end portion of the tractorand attachment assembly shown in Fig. 1; f

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the scoop showing the latchmechanism and the assembly of the scoop with the loader lifting arms;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a connecting member between theforward ends of the lifting arms;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the assembly shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 1 and shows a modified form oflifting means for the pivoted lifting arms;

Fig. 11 is a. plan view of the lifting means shown in Fig. 10; and

Figs. 12, 13, and 14 are sectional views taken on the lines |2-I2,|3-I3, and II-IL respectively, in Fig. 11. v

With reference to the drawings the lloader attachment of this inventionis illustrated in Fig. 1 in assembly relation with la commercial typeJohn Deere tractor, having a frame, indicated generally as 20, a rearaxle structure 2l including a differential housing 22 and a rear powertake-off shaft 23, rear wheels 24 and front steering wheel 28.

3 The attachment comprises a pair of pivoted lifting arms 21 and 21a(Figs. 1 and 6) arranged at opposite sides of the tractor and of alength such that their forward ends extend forwardly ahead of thetractor, and their rear ends project rearwardly behind the tractor.Since the arms 21 and 21a are of a like construction and similarlyassembled with the tractor. only the construction and assembly of thearm 21 will be described in detail. Y

The arm 21 (Fig. 1) includes a main member 29 of a straight length and apipe construction provided intermediate its ends with an upright platemember 29. A brace member 3|, of a pipe construction, is welded orptherwise secured to the top side of the plate member 29 and has itsopposite ends inclined downwardly from the top of the plate member 29for junction with the ends of the main member 28. As shown in Fig. 4 therear ends of the main member 28 and the brace member 3| are of a fiatform and welded to a common plate member 32. The front ends of themembers 26 and 9| (Figs. '7 and 9) are of a at form and welded to aplate member 33 extended in a rearward direction longitudinally of andto the inside of the lifting arm 21.

The lifting arm 21 extends across the top of tractor rear axle 2| andish pivotally supported at a position spaced upwardly from the axle 2|by means including an upright U-shape member 34, having downwardlyextended lugs 36 adapted to straddle the axle 2| (Figs. 1 and 6). Thelugs 36 are secured to the axle by bolts 31. The arm 21, at the uprightplate or projection 29, is received within the U-member 34 and pivotallysupported on a pin or bolt member 38 carried in the legs of the U-member34 and extended through an opening formed in the upright plate 29. It isseen, therefore, that the pivotal support 35 is spaced upwardly from thearm member 28.

Guide members 38 (Fig. 5) -secured to the inner sides of the legs of thebracket 34 and to opposite sides of the plate member 29, are adapted forbearing engagement with the plate 29 to support the lifting arm 21against lateral tipping movement relative to its pivotal support 35.

The forward ends of the lifting arms 21 and 21a are secured together bya transverse connecting structure (Figs. 7, 8 and 9) including atransverse pipe member 39 secured at its opposite ends to fasteningplates 4|. Brace members 42 are connected between the pipe member 39 andthe fastening plates 4|. In the assembly of the loader the pipe member39 is extended between the forward ends of the arms 21 and 21a and thefastening plates 4| are secured to the plate members 33 by bolts 43. Byvirtue of this detachable connection of the pipe member 39 with thelifting arms 21 and 21a, the arms are adapted to be handled separatelyin their assembly with and removed from th'e tractor. A scoop 44 ispivotally supported between the arms 21 and 21a, at a position forwardlyof the connecting member 39, on pins 46 carried at the front ends of theplate members 33 which are grojected forwardly of the lifting rams 21and With the arms 21 and 21a pivotally supported on the bolts 35 atpositions spaced upwardly from the tractor rear axle 2|, the scoop 44,at its elevated position, is extended forwardly ahead of the tractor agreater distance relative to the distance it would be extended if themember 28 were supported directly on the pivots indicated as 41 inFig. 1. Thus assuming the lifting arms to be pivoted at 41, the scooppivots 46, on an upward pivotal movement of the arms would follow anarcuate path indicated in a solid line at A in Fig. 1. However with thelifting arms 21 and 21a pivotally supported at 35 the scoop pivots 46follow an arcuate path indicated in Fig. 1 by the dotted lines B.

As a result, when the scoop 44 is in its elevated position, shown indotted rlines in Fig. 1, it is moved farther ahead of the tractor, byavdistance indicated at C, than it would-be moved if the lifting armswere pivoted at 41. For a given length of the lifting arms, 21 an`d 21a,therefore, the scoop 44, at its elevated position, is located fartherahead of the tractor by virtue of the pivotal support of the arms at aposition spaced upwardly from the; main arm members 28.

The arms 21 and 21a are raised and lowered by means including ahydraulic power unit, designated generally as 48 (Fig. 4),.of a usualtype provided as an attachment for John Deere tractors., The unit 48 issupported `on the tractor rear axle 2| and includes a transverse rockshaft 49 rotatably supported in a tubular housing 5| extended across thetop the rear axle structure 2|. Mounted at opposite ends of the rockshaft 49 are a pair. of rearwardly extended rocker arms 52 (Fi-gs. 3 and4). Each arm 52 has formed in a side thereof adjacent its end 53 aV-shape recess 54 adapted to receive a squared end 56 of the shaft 59.With the squared end 56 within the recess 54 a rocker arm 52 is securedin a fixed position on the shaft 49 by a clamping unit 51.

The rocking of the shaft 49, and in turn a rocking movement of therocker arms 52, ins accomplished by hydraulically operated means (notshown) formed as a part of the hydraulic power unit 48, and controlledby a pair of foot actuated pedals 12 and 12a which are mounted on aoommon shaft 13 supported in bearings 14 at the top of the housing 5|.The pedal 12 is formed with a rearward extension, which is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of a rod member 16. The

vlower end of the rod 16 is pivoted to a valve handle 11.

0n an initial depression of either one of the foot pedals 12 and 12a therocker shaft 49 is hydraulically operated to move the rocker arms 52 ina clockwise direction as Viewed in Fig. 1. On a release of a foot pedal12 and 12a the rock shaft 49 is held in a fixed position against move- Yment. When a foot pedal 12 or 12a is depressed a second time the rockshaft 49 is released for free rockable movement. It is seen, therefore,that the rock arms 52 are elevated, held in an elevated position, andthen released for lowering by alternately depressing and releasing 4afoot pedal 12 or 12a. Since the operation of the hydraulic power unit 48is well-known, a further description of its operation is believed to beunnecessary.

Cables or chains 58 are connected at one of their ends 59 with the freeor rear ends of the rocker arms 52, and from their ends 59 extenddownwardly for travel about pulleys 62, and then upwardly for connectionof their ends 63 with the plate members 32 at therear ends of thelifting arms 21 and 21a. The pulleys 62 are rotatably supported inU-shaped brackets 64, arranged at opposite ends of a transverse tractordrawbar 66, which is pivotally supported on bolts 61 carried at the rearend of a supporting structure, indi- Gated generally as 68, and securedat its forward ing 22.A Brace members 1| are connected at one end to theupright U members 34, while their opposite ends are supported on thebolts or pivots On 'a rocking movement of the rock arms 52,

in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the

cables or lifting, members 58 provide for the aption at the rear ends ofthe lifting arms 21 and 21a whereby the arms are pivotally moved toraise the scoop 44 to an elevated position shown in dotted lines inFig. 1. The scoop 44 is held in an elevated position when the power unit48 is operated to hold the rocker arms 52 against :,seaave formed withan upright rock arm 88 the free end of which is connectedto the rear endof a coil `spring 84. The forward end Yof the spring is -se- ,Y

cured at 88 to thejtop side of the brace member 3|. The spring 84 thusacts to yieldabiy move the ,rock shaft 8| iii Aa clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 7, to in turn provide for the movement of the latchmember l2'into an, engaging plication of a pulling force in a downwarddirecposition with the catch member 83.

The latch member82 is released from its engaged position with the catchmember 83 on acmovement. When the cables 58 are released by releasingthe rocker arms 52 for free rockable movement, the scoop 44 is movableto a lowered position by the action of gravity, whereby the rocker arms52 are moved by the cable in a coun'- ter-clockwise direction, as alsoviewed in Fig. 1.

Because the lifting larms 21 and 21a are projected rearwardly from theirpivotalsupports 35 the leverage effect of the lifting arm lengthsbetween their rear ends and the pivotal supports 35 is fully utilized inraising the load carried by the scoop 44. It is further apparent thatthe weight of the lifting arms 21 and 21a, located rearwardly of the armsupports 35, yacts to counter-balance a part of the weight of the armslocated forwardly of the pivots 35. The arms 21 and 21a may becompletely balanced, relative to their fu'crum or pivot 35 by securingsuitable weights to the rear ends of the arms. Since any weight of thelifting arms or any weights secured to the lifting arms, rearwardly ofthe pivots 35, counter-balances any weight carried on the arms forwardlyof the pivots 35, the power required to elevate the scoop-isvreduced inproportion to the balanced condition of the lifting arms.

' The latch mechanism for holding the scoop 44 in a load carryingposition includes a rock shaft 8| (Figs. 2, 7, 8 and 9) rotatablysupported in a pipe member 88 welded to the top side of the connectingmember 38. The inner end of the rock shaft 8| is integrally formed withan upright latch member 82 adapted to releasably engage a catch member83 projected rearwardly from the back wall 84'oi' the scoop 44. Thecatch 83 consists of a bolt extended through the opposite legs 88 and 81of an upright channel member 88 which is adjustably supported on thescoop back wall 84 by bolts 89 carried in the back wall 84 and extendedthrough slots 9| formed in the base side of the channel member 88, whichbase side is positioned fiat against the back wall 84 so that thechannel is open to the latch member 82. Adjustment of the channel member88 relative to the scoop back wall 84 provides for an adjustment of thesuction or digging action of the scoop during a bucking operation.

As best appears in Figs. 2 and 7 the leg 8B of the channel member 88 hasa downward extension 82, the lower edge of which is adapted for abuttingengagement against the top lside of the transverse connecting member 39.On a return of the scoop 44 Vfrom a dumping position to a loadingposition, the abutting engagement of the extension v82 with theconnecting `member 39' limits the pivotal movement of the scoop in acounter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. l, at which limitingposition the latch member 82 is releasably engageable with the catchmember 83.

The outer end of the rock shaft 8| is integrally tuation of a rod member88 extended longitudinally of the brace member 3| of the lifting arm 21,and slidably supported in uprlghtprojections 88 on the top side of thebrace member 8| (Fig. 1). The rear end of the rod 98 isfformed with ahandle l'8i located adjacent to the'seat |82 for the tractor operator.The forward end of -the rod 88 (Fig. 7) is formed with a loop |83 whichis extended through the free end of the rocker arm 88.

When the rod 88 is pulled in a rearward direction, the rock shaft 8| ismoved in a counterclockwise direction, 'as viewed in Fig. 7, against theaction of the spring 84, whereby the latch member 82 is moved out ofengagement with the catch member 83. On a release of the rod member 88the catch member 82 is moved into an engaging position with the catchmember 83 by the spring 84.

The return of the scoop 44 from a dumping position to a load carryingposition is accomplished by the action of gravity. In other words theweight of the scoop located rearwardly of the scoop pivots 48 is greaterthanthe weight of the scoop located forwardly of the pivotsl 46.However, when the scoop is loaded the forward portion of the scoopoverbalances the rear portion of the scoop so that on a release of thecatch member 82, the scoop is moved by gravity to a dumping position.After the load is dumped, the greater weight of the scoop is rearwardlyof the pivots 46, whereby the scoop is pivotally moved by gravity in` acounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, to its normal loadcarrying position.

As previously mentioned the connecting member 39 is detachably connectedbetween the forward ends of the lifting arms 21 and 21a to provide forthe independent handling of the lifting arms for assembly with andAremoval from the tractor. As clearly appears in Fig. 8 the rocker arm 8|is pre-assembled as a unit with the con-'- necting member 39, and isremovable from the loader with the member 39, by merely disconnectingthe rod 98 and the spring 84 from the rock arm 93.

In Figs. 10- 14, inclusive, there is shown a modified form oftheinvention which is similar in all respects to the loader attachmentillustrated in Fig.. 1, except that the lifting arms 21 and-21a aremechanically operated from the power takeoff shaft 23, instead of by thehydraulicpower unit 48. Similar numerals of reference, therefore, areused in Figs. 10-14, inclusive, to designate like parts in Fig. 1.

The mechanical means for operating the lifting arms 21 and 21a includesa ybase member i8| (Figs. 10, 1-1 and l2) secured to the drawbar' byU-clamps |82 and extended longitudinally of the tractor. The forward endof the base i 8| is integrally formed with an upright open rectangularframe |83 positioned adjacent to the the rear side of the rectangularf-rame |03.

A hollow brake drum |01, mounted on the front end of the shaft |04, isrotatable within and rear ends of the lifting arms 21 and 21a. When theshaft |04 is held against rotation the scoop 44 is maintained fixed inan elevated position. On release of the shaft |04 from its heldposition, the scoop 44 is lowered by gravityand the cables |08 areunwound from the-shaft |04 by the downward pivotal movement of thelifting arms 21 and 21a. y

Rotation of the shaft |04', to wind the cables 08 thereon, isaccomplished by the connection of the shaft |04 with the power take-0Eshaft 23 through a friction clutch unit which includes the hollow brakedrum |01 (Figs. 12 and 14). The power take-olf shaft 23 extends throughan upright elongated opening ||2 formed in the front -Y side of therectangular frame |03. Mounted on the power take-off shaft 23, andlocated within the hollow brake drum |01, is an inflatable rubber tire||3.

The clutch unit is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 14 in its disconnectedposition, in which the tire I3 is freely rotatable within the brake drum|31.

On movement of the brake drum |01 downwardly,

so that its inner peripheral surface is in frictional engagement withthe outer peripheral surface of the tire H3, the shaft |04 is connectedby the clutch unitin a driven relation with the power take-olf shaft 23.Downward movement of the brake drum is provided by virtue of the pivotalsupport of the drawbar 66 on the pivot bolts 61.

Actuation of the clutch unit is accomplished by means including amanually operated upright lever ||4 pivoted at ||6 (Figs. 1l and 12) ona bracket ||1 secured to and extended rearwardly from the dierentialhousing 22. Brace members ||8 and ||9 are connected between the freeends of the bracket ||1 and the housing 22. An upright project-ion 2| atthe front end of the rectangular frame |03 is pivotally connected at |22with the lever ||4 at a position above the pivot When the lever ||4 ismoved forwardly, or pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction as viewedin Fig. 12, the entire base |0| and the frame |03 are pivoted downwardlyand forwardly whereby the brake drum |01 is moved into frictional`engagement with the rubber tire ||3. 0n a rearward movement of thelever ||4 the brake drum is lifted out of frictional engagement with thetire.

To hold the drum |01, and in turn the shaft 04, against rotation thereis provided a brake band |24 (Figs. 1l, 13 and 14) which is extendedabout the outer periphery of the drum |01. One end |26 of the band |24is of a looped form adapted for connection with a bent bolt |21 carriedin the top side of the rectangular frame |03. The opposite end |28 ofthe brake band |24 is bent upright and loosely receives a. bolt |29extended laterally from the top side of the rectangular frame |03 at aposition oppositely. arranged from the bent bolt |21. As best appears inFig. 13, the band end |20` projects upwardly above the top level oftherectangularframe |03. A coilspring |3|, mounted about the bolt |29,is arranged in compression between the band end |28 and a nut |32 at thefree end of the bolt |29.

Movably supported in a spaced relation above the top side 'of therectangular frame |03 is a cam bar |33 (Figs. 11, 12,13`and'14)1having alow spot |34 formed intermediate its ends and lin one side thereof. Thecam bar is extended longitudinally of the base |0| and has its front endpivoted at |36 to the lower end of the operating lever ||4. The rear endof the cam bar is guidably movable between a pair of spaced upright lugs|35 on the top side and at the rear end of the rectangular frame |03.The bar v|33 has an elongated opening v| 31 forslidably receiving a bolt|38 carried between the lugs |35.

The cam bar is yieldablyengageable with a lateral projection or camfollower- |39 provided on the brake band end |20, and adapted to rideinto and out of the cam low spot |34 on longitudinal movement of the cambar |33. The

yieldable engagement of the cam bar with the cam follower |39 ismaintained by the spring |3 I. When the follower |39 is within the lowspot |34, the spring 3| is capable of holding the brake band |24 infrictional engagement with the brake drum |01, to hold the drum againstrotation. When the low spot |34 is moved to either side of the camfollower |39 the spring |3| is compressed so as to release the brakeband |24 from fritional engagement with the brake drum |01.

' about the brake drum |01 by the spring |3|.

To elevate the scoop 44 the operating lever |'|4 is pivotally moved incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, whereby the brake drum|01 is moved downwardly into frictional engagement with the tire ||3 toconnect the shaft |04 with the power take-off shaft 23. Concurrentlywith this downward movement of the brake drum |01 the cam bar |33 ismoved to the v right, a-s viewed in Fig. 11, whereby the cam low spot I34 is moved away from the cam follower |30. By virtue of this movementof the cam bar |33 the brake band end r|28 is moved toward the right, asviewed in Fig. 13, to release the brake band from its engaged positionwith the brake drum |01. The scoop is held in an elevated position bythe return of the lever |'I4 to its position shown in Fig. l2, toprovide for the upward movement o`f the brake drum |01 out of frictionalengagement with the tire H3, and for the movement of the cam low spot|34 to a position for receiving the cam follower 39. With the camfollower |39 in the cam low spot |34 the brake band |24 is moved by thespring 3| into frictional engagement with the brake drum |01 whereby theshaft |04 is held in a fixed position.

To lower the scoop 44 the operating lever ||4 is pivotally moved in aclockwise direction, from its position shown in Fig. 12. This movementof the operating lever ||4 moves the brake drum |01 upwardly away from africtionally engaging position with the tire H3, concurrently with themovement of the cam bar |33 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 11,whereby the cam low spot |34 is moved away from the cam follower |39.The shaft |04 is thus maintained out of a driven re'- lation with thepower take-off shaft 23, while the brake band |24 is moved out offrictional engagement with the brake drum |01, to provide for a freelowering of the scoop 44 by the action of gravity. On a downwardmovement of the scoop 44 the cables |08 are unwound from the shaft |04.

It is seen, therefore, that the single lever |`|4 operates both theclutch unit for connecting and disconnecting the power take-off shaft 23with the shaft |04, and the brake mechanism for holding the shaft |04 ina fixed position against rotation, in a timed relation so that the shaft|04 is capable of free rotation when it is connected with the powertake-off shaft 23 and when it is desired to lower the scoop 44.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that theinvention provides a loader attachment for a tractor which is of asimple and rugged construction and comprised of a minimum number ofparts which are capable of Abeing separately handled by one man in theirassembly and removal from the tractor. The operating means, for raisingand lowering the pivoted arms 21 and 21a, are located rearwardly of thetractor axle 2| so as to be out of the normal line of vision of thetractor operator. Further, the pivoted lifting arms, as well as theoperating means therefor, are arranged entirely within the vertical andtransverse confines of the tractor, so as not to interfere in any Waywith the usual storage of the tractor in a machine shed or the like.

Although the invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not be so limitedsince changes and modifications can be made therein which are within thefull intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A loader attachment for a tractor having a rear axle, including apair of pivoted lifting arms arranged at opposite sides of said tractor.a load carrying unit supported between the forward ends of said arms,upright members on said arms intermediate the ends thereof, a pair ofupright supports oppositely arranged on said axle, means pivoting saidupright members on said upright supports for up and down pivotalmovement, means on said upright supports guidably engageable with saidupright members to hold said arms against lateral movement at anypivotally moved position therefor, and power operated means adapted toact on the rear ends of said arms to pivotally move said arms to raiseand lower said load carrying unit.

2. A loader attachment for a tractor having a rear axle and a transversedraw bar, including a pair oi' pivotal lifting arms arranged at oppositesides of the tractor. means pivotally supporting said lifting arms onsaid axle intermediate theirv bar at oppositely arranged positions, apair of flexible means connected at one of their ends to the rear endsof said lifting arms, and extended downwardly about said pulleys forconnection of their opposite ends with the free ends of said rock arms,and means operated by the tractor for rocking said rock shaft.

3. A loader machine including a portable frame, a pair of pivotedlifting arms arranged at opposite sides of said frame, means pivotallysupporting said arms on said frame for up and down pivotal movement, ascoop pivoted between the forward ends of said arms, a transverse memberconnected between said forward ends, a transverse rock shaft supportedon said connecting member, a latch member on said rock shaft, a catchmember adapted for releasable engagement with said latch member, meansadjustably supporting the catch member on said scoop for up and downmovement, a stop member on said adjustable means adapted to engage saidconnecting member to limit pivotal movement of said scoop in onedirection, means acting in one direction on said rock shaft to yieldablyretain said latch member in an engaging position with said catch member,and manually operated means for rocking said rock shaft in an oppositedirection to release said latch member from said catch member.

4. A loader attachment for a tractor having a rear axle comprising, apair of pivoted lift arms arranged at opposite sides of said tractor.with the front ends of said arms being extended forwardly of saidtractor and the rear ends of saids arms projected rearwardly of saidaxle, means for pivotally supporting said arms at positions above saidaxle including pairs of upright transversely spaced supports on saidaxle for receiving said arms therebetween, upright members on said arms,pivots carried in said spaced supports and extended through said uprightmembers, and bearing members on said spaced supports engageable withopposite sides of said upright members to guide said arms againstmovement transversely of the tractor.

5. A loader attachment for a tractor having a rear axle comprising, apair of pivoted lift arms arranged at opposite sides of the tractor,with the front ends of said arms being extended forwardly of the tractorand the rear ends of said arms projected rearwardly of said axle, meansfor pivotally supporting said arms at positions above said axleincluding pairs of upright transversely spaced supports on said axle forreceiving said arms therebetween, and coacting means on said arms andsupports for guiding said arms against movement transversely ofv saidtractor.

JOS. B. KUCERA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,322,472 Sandvig June 22, 19432,326,197 Bleche. Aug. 10, 1943 2,372,908 Messing Apr. 3, 1945 2,377,495Hofmeister June 5, 1945 2,397,046 Richey Mar. 19, 1946 2,407,425 Homingetal. Sept. 10, 1946 2,407,593 Watson Sept. 10, 1940 2,435,098 PokornyJan. 27, 1949

